Aye. Rafa sticks out like a sore thumb in that every single other manager in the Ashley era at the time of their employment would never have been considered for any other PL job.
Keegan - had been out the game about 5 years
Kinnear - had been out the game about 5 years
Shearer - TV pundit
Hughton - well respected no.2 and coach but had never managed
Pardew - sacked by League 1 Southampton
Carver - no.2 and had only managed in Canada or as a caretaker
McClaren - sacked by Championship Derby and hadn't managed in the top flight for about 8 or 9 years
(Rafa)
Bruce - sacked by Championship Villa, at Championship Sheff Wed, not managed in top flight for 5 years
Ashley targets these types as they'll accept his awful working conditions due to them having fuck all chance of a top job. NUFC or bust.